Former Blue Jay Mullins hoping to find his wings with Toronto FC

His game is soccer, but new Toronto FC forward Patrick Mullins was thrown a slight curve ball during his first media conference at the BMO Training Ground on Thursday.

Were you not, Mullins was asked, a former Blue Jay? (A little ice-breaking action).

“Wow,” replied the six-year MLS veteran, with a laugh. “Where did you go into the archives for that one?”

Before embarking on his professional career, Mullins, who was traded to TFC on Wednesday from the Columbus Crew for Scarborough native Jordan Hamilton, helped the Jesuit High School Blue Jays in New Orleans to two state titles, and was named Louisiana Player of the Year as a junior.

The 27-year-old forward was drafted by the New England Revolution 11th overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft. In six seasons, Mullins has made a combined 122 appearances for four different clubs – the Revolution, New York City FC, D.C. United and Columbus — scoring 24 goals with 10 assists in MLS league play and MLS Cup Playoffs.

Despite joining his fifth MLS team in six seasons, Mullins said he is extremely excited about the move to the Reds and said he will do everything in his power (likely as Jozy Altidore’s main replacement off the bench) to help Toronto go on a run in the second half of the season.

“First and foremost I’m a team player,” said Mullins, when asked what he brings to the table. “But what I contribute to my team is through my goals, work rate and a little bit of whatever’s needed from me. I think I have ability to combine, I’ve got the ability to be a hold up player at times and really adjust to what’s being asked of me, which I’ve had to do through a couple of different situations in my career.”

“Physically, mobility, hard worker on both sides of the ball, defensively, offensively. He has shown the ability to both come into games and score goals but also with a stretch of games to be able to put good games together and score goals,” said TFC coach Greg Vanney. “He gives us some versatility, flexibility, some experience, a guy who’s been around our league and knows the league and has produced in the league as well. And some new energy, some competition within the group.”

Mullins joins a team with some familiar faces. He was Nick DeLeon’s roommate at DC United between 2016-18.

He also played with Tsubasa Endoh at the University of Maryland and is acquainted with defender Omar Gonzalez. Other than that, Mullins said he doesn’t know much about Toronto other than from what he’s seen of the crowds at BMO Field.

“The fans (there) stick out for me,” he said. “The Toronto (crowd) definitely has a big pride but also an edge to it to where they’ll call out the opposing team, and I like that. Makes for a unique environment and one that makes Toronto and BMO Field pretty special.”

If Mullins can score some key goals, then the his time with the Reds might turn out to be pretty special. The deal broke down this way: TFC acquired Mullins and conditional allocation money for Hamilton along with an international roster spot for the remainder of the 2019 season, $50,000 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) and the right of first refusal (ROFR) for an undisclosed player.

Hamilton was in his sixth season with TFC after signing with the first team in Jan. 2014 and though he had scored 15 goals in 66 appearances with his hometown club, he had trouble proving himself as a consistent scorer, particularly as a starter. Vanney said it was tough to see Hamilton traded as he’s been with the young Canadian since they both started with TFC in 2014.

“I think in order for Jordan to really fulfill his potential and ability he has to go and try something fresh and new and somewhere where he’s a little less comfortable so he can really push his boundaries,” said the TFC coach. “Hopefully he can get to Columbus and really compete for some consistent minutes. It’s part of being a young player and taking that next step forward. My hope is that he’ll go there and be really successful.”

VANNEY FINALLY PLAYING WITH A FULL DECK

Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney actually laughed out loud when asked on Thursday how is it going to feel to be able to fill out a lineup with plenty of choices to make.

Saturday’s match in Montreal will mark the first time in months that Vanney will essentially have a full team to choose from. In fact, the only players probably not available for Saturday’s match at Saputo Stadium are defenders Laurent Ciman (slight MCL strain) and Drew Moor (hamstring).

Other than that, Vanney has a full complement of players to consider for his starting XI, including Gold Cup returnees Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley and newcomers, defender Omar Gonzalez and attacking players Erickson Gallardo and Patrick Mullins.

“Omar has settled in quickly communicating on the back line,” said the coach. “You see his comfort level as a veteran centre back to play man on man, which has been nice to have (and) his comfort level dealing with balls in the air and crosses and things in the box is a nice addition.

“Gallardo. We pushed him really hard for a couple of days. (Wednesday) we brought it down just a little bit and (Thursday) he was back in and looked sharp,” Vanney said. “With everyday he just settles into the environment a little bit more – (Thursday) he showed his pace, showed his directness, his ability to move with and without the ball at speed. He showed some defensive awareness which is nice out of that wide position. A lot of things that we hoped to see, we’re continuing to see.”

Vanney said midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo, who turned his ankle earlier in the week, has responded well and should be available for the Impact game.

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